From what I've gathered recently, Tomic's biggest problem is his attitude. If he gets humble and puts in the 'hard yards,' as Lleyton Hewitt once put it, he's got the potential to make top 20. If he doesn't get rid of the arrogance, he'll be relegated to 100-150 perenially.

Tomic is tall, crafty, looks to be hitting the ball bigger, he definitely has ability, I'd say top 20 at least, Dimitrov and Berankis can just hit bigger than him consistently and they have good tennis IQ as well

I don't want to sound like a cynical old guy who longs for his younger days, buuut...

if tennis turns into Monfils and Tomic from top to bottom, I'm officially falling out of love with the pro game.

I just don't see the appeal.

I'm just going to have to hold on to the current Rafa/Roger hegemony and cherish the memories of the days when tennis was aesthetically pleasing. I'm talking about Laver, Ashe, Nastase, Newk, Nastase, Borg, Mac, Noah, Becker, Cashy, Edberg, Pete, Stich, Rafter and Guga.

-cynical old guy, rooting for Dimitrov and Berankis to beat up on Tomic.

I don't want to sound like a cynical old guy who longs for his younger days, buuut...

if tennis turns into Monfils and Tomic from top to bottom, I'm officially falling out of love with the pro game.

I just don't see the appeal.

I'm just going to have to hold on to the current Rafa/Roger hegemony and cherish the memories of the days when tennis was aesthetically pleasing. I'm talking about Laver, Ashe, Nastase, Newk, Nastase, Borg, Mac, Noah, Becker, Cashy, Edberg, Pete, Stich, Rafter and Guga.

-cynical old guy, rooting for Dimitrov and Berankis to beat up on Tomic.

I don't want to sound like a cynical old guy who longs for his younger days, buuut...

if tennis turns into Monfils and Tomic from top to bottom, I'm officially falling out of love with the pro game.

I just don't see the appeal.

I'm just going to have to hold on to the current Rafa/Roger hegemony and cherish the memories of the days when tennis was aesthetically pleasing. I'm talking about Laver, Ashe, Nastase, Newk, Nastase, Borg, Mac, Noah, Becker, Cashy, Edberg, Pete, Stich, Rafter and Guga.

-cynical old guy, rooting for Dimitrov and Berankis to beat up on Tomic.

Dream believer Bernard Tomic insists he can upstage history-chasing top seed Rafael Nadal in their third-round Australian Open blockbuster on Saturday night.

No Australian man in almost a decade has conquered a world No.1, but Tomic believes anything is possible after upsetting Spanish 31st seed Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 on Thursday to reach the last 32 of a grand slam event for the first time.

"I'm hitting the ball great, my confidence is up there, especially after two matches, I played a left-hander before I played him, that's always good," Tomic said.

Advertisement: Story continues below "There's not much weaknesses (in his game but) I don't think he'll like my game.

"He'll like the players that give him a lot of time, a lot of rally shots. The way I mix it up, he's not going to like."

Not since Mark Philippoussis shot down Andre Agassi in the fourth round at Wimbledon en route to the 2003 final at the All England Club has an Australian brought down the men's world No.1.

But while Philippoussis was already a grand slam finalist and accomplished grasscourt exponent, Tomic will enter his clash with Nadal as an 18-year-old wildcard ranked 198 places behind the reigning French Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion.

Nadal has won his past 23 grand slam matches and is bidding to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four major titles simultaneously.

Tomic, though, is undeterred and earnestly believes he can stop the Spanish juggernaut.

"Oh, I believe so," Tomic said.

"I mean, it's an opportunity that I get. He's the world No.1. I'll just have a go.

"When you step out against a player like that, you don't have nothing to lose.

"But I'm not going to go and win this match if I go out there and play not to lose. I've got to play to win."

Nadal will enter the marquee match-up a raging favourite but, carrying all the pressure, Nadal is nevertheless on guard.

"He's very young, he's playing well I think, he has a very very good future ... hopefully not for the next round," Nadal said after trouncing American qualifier Ryan Sweeting 6-2 6-1 6-1 in his second-round encounter.

Nadal said a prime-time showdown with Tomic on Rod Laver Arena would be a nice occasion and recalled his days as a teenager himself taking on dual grand slam winner Lleyton Hewitt in Melbourne.

"I remember when I was here when I was 16, 17, I played against Lleyton (twice and lost both times). If you win, it's unbelievable. If not, it's OK," he said.

Even if he loses against Nadal, Tomic is guaranteed a rankings rise of about 20 spots from his current career-high place just inside the world's top 200.

The teenager's landmark win over Lopez - a two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist and Queen's Club victor over Nadal last year - more than made up for fellow Australian Alicia Molik's 6-4 6-1 second-round loss to women's 13th seed Nadia Petrova.

Dream believer Bernard Tomic insists he can upstage history-chasing top seed Rafael Nadal in their third-round Australian Open blockbuster on Saturday night.

No Australian man in almost a decade has conquered a world No.1, but Tomic believes anything is possible after upsetting Spanish 31st seed Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 on Thursday to reach the last 32 of a grand slam event for the first time.

"I'm hitting the ball great, my confidence is up there, especially after two matches, I played a left-hander before I played him, that's always good," Tomic said.

Advertisement: Story continues below "There's not much weaknesses (in his game but) I don't think he'll like my game.

"He'll like the players that give him a lot of time, a lot of rally shots. The way I mix it up, he's not going to like."

Not since Mark Philippoussis shot down Andre Agassi in the fourth round at Wimbledon en route to the 2003 final at the All England Club has an Australian brought down the men's world No.1.

But while Philippoussis was already a grand slam finalist and accomplished grasscourt exponent, Tomic will enter his clash with Nadal as an 18-year-old wildcard ranked 198 places behind the reigning French Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion.

Nadal has won his past 23 grand slam matches and is bidding to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four major titles simultaneously.

Tomic, though, is undeterred and earnestly believes he can stop the Spanish juggernaut.

"Oh, I believe so," Tomic said.

"I mean, it's an opportunity that I get. He's the world No.1. I'll just have a go.

"When you step out against a player like that, you don't have nothing to lose.

"But I'm not going to go and win this match if I go out there and play not to lose. I've got to play to win."

Nadal will enter the marquee match-up a raging favourite but, carrying all the pressure, Nadal is nevertheless on guard.

"He's very young, he's playing well I think, he has a very very good future ... hopefully not for the next round," Nadal said after trouncing American qualifier Ryan Sweeting 6-2 6-1 6-1 in his second-round encounter.

Nadal said a prime-time showdown with Tomic on Rod Laver Arena would be a nice occasion and recalled his days as a teenager himself taking on dual grand slam winner Lleyton Hewitt in Melbourne.

"I remember when I was here when I was 16, 17, I played against Lleyton (twice and lost both times). If you win, it's unbelievable. If not, it's OK," he said.

Even if he loses against Nadal, Tomic is guaranteed a rankings rise of about 20 spots from his current career-high place just inside the world's top 200.

The teenager's landmark win over Lopez - a two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist and Queen's Club victor over Nadal last year - more than made up for fellow Australian Alicia Molik's 6-4 6-1 second-round loss to women's 13th seed Nadia Petrova.

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looks like a straight set drubbing is in order for Tomic. If the versatile "Swiss Maestro" has 14-8 record record against Nadal, I dont see what Tomic's variety will bring to the table.

From my point of view Tomic should be pushing top 10 in the future. In the space of 1 year his movement has improved quite a bit and his groundies have gotten alot bigger. He's added 20kmph onto his serve in the space of 1 year- he's still got a bit of growing/filling out to do as well, once he gets a bit stronger he will be a beast. The kid is a smart player. His backhand slice would be one of the best on the tour already. He just needs to keep improving his movement, he's got all the shots already.

Didn't think I could be sucked into not liking a player because of his 'look', buuuut... the glasses remind me of Hewitt's mother. That is not good on ya, not good on him...not good on anyone. To quote the great Paddy Rafter, ''sorrymate''.

Don't think Tomic stands a chance against Rafa but refreshing attitude from him. We need more of Tomic kind of guys and less of Andy 'I don't mind losing 8 finals to Federer' Roddick kind of losers with such a poor attitude & self-belief!

For just bringing this kind of attitude, I hope Tomic wins a set or 2!

Don't think Tomic stands a chance against Rafa but refreshing attitude from him. We need more of Tomic kind of guys and less of Andy 'I don't mind losing 8 finals to Federer' Roddick kind of losers with such a poor attitude & self-belief!

For just bringing this kind of attitude, I hope Tomic wins a set or 2!

Yes, I'd rather that than pull for someone who declares to the world that he would like to lose 8 grand slam finals to one of his chief rivals!

It's exactly that kind of attitude that made me feel Andy Roddick deserved no respect when Federer pulled the 15 jacket after beating him in the Wimbledon 2009 final! That was a disgraceful act by giant nose but Roddick deserved no better!

Don't think Tomic stands a chance against Rafa but refreshing attitude from him. We need more of Tomic kind of guys and less of Andy 'I don't mind losing 8 finals to Federer' Roddick kind of losers with such a poor attitude & self-belief!

For just bringing this kind of attitude, I hope Tomic wins a set or 2!

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If Tomic wins a set, or god forbid two, that won't look too good on Rafa. Even if Tomic pulls out his best performance to date, if Rafa is to win this tournament, at most they will have a close set. No offense to Tomic.

Yes, I'd rather that than pull for someone who declares to the world that he would like to lose 8 grand slam finals to one of his chief rivals!

It's exactly that kind of attitude that made me feel Andy Roddick deserved no respect when Federer pulled the 15 jacket after beating him in the Wimbledon 2009 final! That was a disgraceful act by giant nose but Roddick deserved no better!

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There is a difference between self belief and delusion. Just thought I throw that out there...

You seem to get very worked up over how certain pro athletes behave. It is as if is a personal affront to you or something.

If Tomic wins a set, or god forbid two, that won't look too good on Rafa. Even if Tomic pulls out his best performance to date, if Rafa is to win this tournament, at most they will have a close set. No offense to Tomic.

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While what you are saying is true, if a player has no self-confidence, or as in the case of Roddick, is happy to tie the shoe laces of his opponent, he should just stay the hell home. Why waste the time of other people who actually pay money to come see the matches? As Goober is saying, and perhaps rightly so, maybe Tomic is being delusional but I'd rather that attitude than Andy Roddick's!

Don't think Tomic stands a chance against Rafa but refreshing attitude from him. We need more of Tomic kind of guys and less of Andy 'I don't mind losing 8 finals to Federer' Roddick kind of losers with such a poor attitude & self-belief!

For just bringing this kind of attitude, I hope Tomic wins a set or 2!

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That may be what Roddick says, but I highly doubt he actually believes that. If he did, there would be no point in trying against Fed, which Roddick always does - usually to no avail, but still.

He still tries and works his ass off against Fed, and implying he doesn't because of one soundbite seems disrespectful to the guy. In his case, actions speak louder than words, and even though he comes up short most of the time I've never seen Roddick not go down swinging against Federer, no matter what he says before or after.